The spring of 2011 threw a big fat curve ball to brides in the Inland Northwest. A cold, rainy, cloudy… slightly mucky… curve ball. For spring brides who’d dreamed of an outdoor wedding in the May sunshine, flexibility became the name of the game. And Stephanie and Patrick’s Walla Walla wedding was no exception. The couple had planned on getting married at the beautiful outdoor venue, Areus, but as the dark clouds rolled in it became frighteningly apparent plans would have to change…fast! So friends and family clamored together mere hours before the ceremony to move the the entire thing to the Elks Club, which was not the picturesque venue the couple had pictured, but with a lot of help they were able to transform it into the wedding they always wanted.

Of course having a stellar team of wedding vendors makes these stressful situations MUCH easier. Patrick’s Mom just so happened to be florist and was able to create the garden feel inside the dark and dreary Elks Club, and the incredible Melissa McFadden Photography was there to get the photos.

A little from bride Stephanie about her beautiful day.

“Patrick and I met during undergrad in Moscow, ID a quirky and friendly college town nestled in the rolling hills of the Palouse. We each tested out a few majors before both choosing advertising and finally crossed paths on the first day of Patrick’s last semester. Soon study sessions and walks dodging Idaho snowflakes to class became sweet and studious dates. On a warm, sunny afternoon five incredible years later following adventures in Chicago, Seattle, and now in Orange County California, Patrick asked me to be his wife. Our next adventure would be planning a wedding from over 1,000 miles away!

Walla Walla, Patrick’s hometown is home to some of the friendliest people in the world and most incredible wedding vendors a girl could ask for. In gathering ideas, we both gravitated towards details that fit within the theme of a family picnic in a lush backyard garden filled with homemade touches. Patrick, a talented Art Director created all of the incredible stationery including our save-the-dates, invitations, signage, menus and programs. My sister and I had fun with DIY projects including the paper doily snowflakes and Better Together sign draped behind the cake. We used vintage plates and silver candlesticks to make raised platter for s’more desserts. We borrowed an idea from Patrick’s sister’s wedding, arming little cousins with Polaroid cameras and posting the photos around the room – the images later serving as a lovely guestbook. Our dreams of a lush garden setting were brilliantly and lovingly brought to life by Anne Moore of Amore Floral – lucky for us Patrick’s mom! Her creativity could be found all around the room. My bouquet was breathtaking, but some of my other favorites included the round flower globes greeting guests as they entered, and the charming doily, moss, and lantern tablescapes featured on each table for the reception. Our wedding became a family affair for sure, as the morning of brought on what we looking back jokingly refer to as “Hurricane Walla Walla”. Just hours before the ceremony, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and family friends transported each and every piece of our dream outdoor garden wedding to a completely new location … the Elks Club.

I smile even now as I remember all of the “We’ve got it covered!” and “It’s going to be perfect!” cheers shared amongst the group as they trucked linens, plates, and flowers across town. Not many venues will take in a couple looking to say their “I dos” with just a few hours notice but we’re sure grateful they did. Melissa McFadden did an incredible job of capturing our special day with amazing photographs.”

4 Comments

When it was apparent their perfectly planned outdoor wedding was not going to happen, Stephanie said to me ” I just want to marry Patrick, have everyone be safe and have fun”
and Patrick just wanted Stephanie to be happy. I promised them I’d make it happen,Thank God for family!! That whole day could have been a disaster but they really had the big picture in mind, becoming husband and wife.
The proud mother (of the groom) and new mother and law.